Racine Common Council Meeting Summary - February 3, 2026
Racine Common Council Meeting Summary - February 3, 2026
The City of Racine Common Council convened on February 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM to address a variety of administrative, public works, and personnel matters. The meeting featured significant debate regarding snow removal procedures, resulting in a decision to keep the topic under council review rather than filing it. Key personnel appointments, including the new Director of Parks and Recreation, were approved unanimously along with several grant acceptances and licensing applications. Despite procedural constraints on denying certain licenses, the council navigated complex motions regarding the demolition of the McMinn parking structure and the introduction of a new Bloomberg Harvard Fellowship.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the Journal of Council Proceedings for January 20, 2026 (carried unanimously).
- Referrals of items 0068-26 through 0093-26 to the Finance and Personnel Committee.
- Referral of items 0070-26 through 0092-26 to the Public Works and Services Committee.
- Referral of items related to the Police Report (0089-26) and the Public Safety and Licensing Committee recommendation to the Committee of the Whole.
- Approval of the remainder of committee reports and transit items after separate discussions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alder Weidner expressed concern regarding snow removal, arguing that the Council must define strategy because residents feel they are not being served despite increased taxes; they stated they are not satisfied with the current process which relies on sub-contractive decisions by DPW.
- Alder Allen echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to redefine snow removal strategies and communication processes to address common complaints from residents.
- Alder Pabone voiced support for keeping snow removal on the agenda for robust council discussion to ensure all members are informed and can make better decisions, rather than accepting "receive and file" actions.
- Alder Weidner requested a deferment for Item 0045-26 (vape license application) to review incoming information and potential new ordinances, explicitly stating they were not asking for denial but for a delay to prevent inequity between grandfathered and future applications.
Discussion Items
- Snow Removal Procedures (Item 0091-26): Alder Weidner questioned why an item previously discussed in Public Works was returned to the Committee of the Whole. Alder Mack noted that while a robust discussion occurred earlier, resident complaints persist. Despite a motion to "receive and file," Alder Allen, Pabone, and others argued for continued council oversight. Alder Jorgensen confirmed snow removal is his number one constituent call and agreed to monitor the situation closely with Alder Mack.
- Police Collective Bargaining Agreement (Item 0059-26): Alders discussed the 2025-2028 agreement with the Racine Police Association, noting a cumulative cost of approximately $2.4 million. Alder White asked about employee health insurance premium increases (7.5% to 12.5%), which Director Fisher confirmed aligns with prior fire union negotiations. Alder Land and others congratulated the bargaining teams for avoiding a lapse in the contract.
- Lead Service Lateral Grant (Item 0060-26): The council discussed accepting a $150,000 DNR grant for outreach regarding lead service line replacements. Alder Weidner questioned if the funds included personnel costs, but clarifications were provided that the funds are for materials and citizen outreach, not a new position.
- McMinn Parking Structure Demolition (Item 1306-25): Alder Mack moved to accept the committee's recommendation to deny a professional services agreement for demolition, but immediately indicated a vote against the motion to deny. This procedural maneuver was designed to clear the way for a subsequent vote to approve the contract. Alders Harman and Weidner supported moving forward due to safety concerns (concrete falling on cars) and tight deadlines. Alder Jorgensen expressed relief that the site would continue as a surface parking lot rather than being closed.
- Vape Retail License (Item 0045-26): Application for Mose Market, LLC was discussed. Alder Weidner requested a deferment. The City Attorney clarified that state statute severely limits the Council's ability to deny such licenses, requiring specific conditions like criminal convictions that were not present. Alders Pabone and Townsend supported the approval based on community support and the applicant's plan to focus on groceries.
- Director of Parks Appointment (Item 0094-26): Alders Land, Weidner, and Pabone spoke highly of Matthew Kepnick's past service as City Forester and his responsiveness. Kepnick was appointed and offered a brief statement of gratitude and commitment to staff and safety.
- Bloomberg Harvard Fellowship (Item 0101-26): Alder Weidner questioned the lack of committee review due to an urgent deadline (February 9). Staff explained the program involves a Harvard student providing data support, with no monetary city match.
Key Outcomes
- Snow Removal: Motion to receive and file Item 0091-26 passed with a tally of 9 Ayes, 5 No's. The item remains on the agenda for further discussion, with a commitment from Alder Mack and Alder Jorgensen to pursue side conversations with DPW.
- Police Contract: Item 0059-26 approved unanimously (14 Ayes, 0 No's).
- Lead Grant: Item 0060-26 approved unanimously (14 Ayes, 0 No's).
- McMinn Demolition Contract: The motion to deny the contract failed (13 No's, 1 Aye). A subsequent motion to approve the agreement with K Singh and Associates carried (13 Ayes, 1 No).
- Vape License: Item 0045-26 approved (13 Ayes, 1 No). Alder Harman voted No against the deferment motion and voted Yes against the approval.
- Personnel Appointments: Matthew Kepnick appointed as Director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services unanimously (14 Ayes, 0 No's). William McCarthy appointed to the Due Process Board unanimously (14 Ayes, 0 No's).
- Fellowship Program: Application for the Bloomberg Harvard Fellowship approved unanimously (14 Ayes, 0 No's).
- Consent Agenda: The remainder of the consent agenda items were approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
If all this could please get seated, we will begin momentarily. If all thers could please be seated. Okay, I say this every time, but alders could please take their seats. We will begin momentarily. Well, good evening, everyone. The hour of six o'clock having arrived on this third of February 2026. It is my honor to call to order the City of Racine Common Council. The first order of business, as always, is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you could please stand as you are able and join me in the pledge. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, the next item before us is the approval of the Journal of Council Proceedings for January twentieth. Opposed that motion carries. Just as a point of information, if you come in on the first floor of City Hall, you'll also see some local African American figures that are featured outside the clerk's office. And if you look to some of the screens we have in City Hall and social media pages, look for local uh residents who are from Racine and part of that August history to be honored. Moving on now to public comments, I will ask the clerk to please read the uh proceedings before we begin. There is no one signed up for public comment this evening. Okay. Then we will move on to communications introduced to council. Uh I will ask uh Alder Land if she would like to make a motion regarding the referrals to her committee. I'd like to refer the following items to finance and personnel committee. Item 0068-26 communication sponsored by the mayor requesting accept a 2026 beak control grant. Item 0084-26. Communication requests in the approval of benefits broker and consulting services and the permission to enter into an employee health insurance coverage broker services agreement and manage pharmacy service agreement. Item 0093-26 communication submitting the claim of we energies for disallowance. I'd like a second motion. There's a motion and a second to refer these items to finance the personnel. All those in favor, please say aye. Opposed that motion carries. I erred in moving ahead to finance the personnel, which is usually first for referrals. We do have a referral to the committee of the whole by uh for Alder Horton to read. Uh Alder Horton, would you like to read that item? Item 0091-26 communication sponsored by Alder Allen, Alder Jurgison, and Audible Bone requesting DPW to present and discuss policy and strategies surrounding snow removal procedures. Alder Mack, did you want to make a motion? Alder Wynner, would you like to make a motion? Thank you. I would move to receive and file this item. Sir and file this item made by Alder Weiner, seconded by Alder Mack. Alder Weiner, would you like to speak to your motion? I would thank you. Uh, this item was just uh before the council two weeks ago. Uh this item had been received and filed by the public works and services committee, and the council unanimously approved that receive and file if I remember correctly. So it it behooves me why this item is even on the agenda at this time. It was my understanding that once a few of the aldermans that had concern about the the procedures for plowing and snow snow and ice removal would be meeting with public works, and then at that time I believe that this item would come back to public works and services where it belongs. It does not belong before the committee of the whole back. Thank you. Oh, comments made by Old Weiner. In a robust discussion at the public works committee, over an hour, I believe. Um, all the aldermen were invited to attend that. It was televised. Alderman Jorgensen was there.
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